Travel Creators Push for Borderless Africa, Demand Visa Refunds for Rejected Applications

L-R: Ifesinachi Okpagu, Chief Marketing Officer, Heirs Insurance Group; Niyi Onifade, MD/CEO, Heirs Life Assurance; Ambassador Manuel Innocencio de Lacerda Santos Junior, Consul General, Embassy of Brazil in Lagos; H.E. Jose Bamóquina Zau, Angolan Ambassador to Nigeria; Stephanie Busari, Founder/CEO SBB Media; Wole Fayemi,

By LOVETH AZODO,  Lagos

Travel creators, diplomats, industry leaders and young Nigerians gathered to push for a more equitable global travel system on Saturday, November 29, as the inaugural Heirs Insurance Travel Festival transformed Harbour Point, Victoria Island, Lagos, into a vibrant hub of cultural exchange and policy discussion.

The event brought together a mix of government representatives, travel entrepreneurs, insurance professionals and content creators who highlighted the challenges Nigerians face with visa applications, border restrictions and unfair global mobility policies.

Speakers repeatedly pointed to long processing times, high rejection rates and what they described as “systemic bias” against African travelers.

A major part of the conversation focused on the increasing role of insurance within the travel ecosystem. Participants noted that travel insurance is becoming a compulsory requirement for visas across several countries, sparking debates on accessibility and cost.

Attendees also raised concerns about transparency in travel documentation and the need for clearer policy frameworks to support first-time travelers.

Beyond policy discussions, the festival featured panel sessions on the rise of Nigerian travel content creators who are shaping global perceptions of the country.

Several creators at the event said their work has helped demystify travel for young Nigerians, despite the barriers they face in obtaining visas. Some speakers urged international embassies to engage more directly with local travel communities to understand their needs.

Cultural showcases and interactive exhibitions formed another part of the festival, with vendors displaying travel-related products, destination guides and photography collections. The gathering drew a large youthful crowd, many of whom said they attended to learn more about navigating travel processes and to network within the industry.

While the event was hosted by Heirs Insurance, the broader conversation remained centered on travel equity, mobility rights and the responsibilities of governments and private companies in supporting Nigerian travelers. Attendees concluded that more collaboration is needed between policymakers, travel agencies and the public to create a fairer and more accessible travel environment.